Passive air suspended seat comfort layer having areas of differing pressures

ABSTRACT

A vehicle seating assembly includes a seating frame. A plurality of cellular supports include multiple base cells and multiple support cells. The multiple support cells are disposed directly above and include a different air pressure than the base cells. A diaphragm is proximate the base cells and the support cells. An air passage is defined through the diaphragm between adjacent cellular supports. An open air distribution layer extends over the cellular supports. A breathable coverstock extends over the distribution layer.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional of and claims priority to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/939,767, filed on Nov. 12, 2015, entitled“PASSIVE AIR SUSPENDED SEAT COMFORT LAYER HAVING AREAS OF DIFFERINGPRESSURES,” now U.S. Pat. No. 9,751,440, the disclosure of which ishereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure generally relates to a vehicle seating assembly,and more particularly to a passive air suspended seat comfort layer fora vehicle seating assembly.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Modern vehicle seats are becoming more and more comfortable as a furtherunderstanding of human ergonomics, posture, and comfortability isstudied. Vehicle seating assemblies that include comfort components inthe vehicle seat back and the vehicle seat can provide the driver andpassengers with improved comfort and increased endurance for extensivevehicle rides. Additionally, various sizes and shapes of drivers andpassengers can prove challenging when providing vehicle seatingassemblies. Accordingly, vehicle seating assemblies that includecomponents to accommodate the different sizes and shapes of drivers andpassengers, as well as the desired posture and sitting positions ofthose drivers and passengers, has become increasingly important.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle seatingassembly includes a seating frame. A plurality of cellular supportsinclude multiple base cells and multiple support cells. The multiplesupport cells are disposed directly above and include a different airpressure than the base cells. A diaphragm is proximate the base cellsand the support cells. An air passage is defined through the diaphragmbetween adjacent cellular supports. An open air distribution layerextends over the cellular supports. A breathable coverstock extends overthe distribution layer.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle seatingassembly includes a plurality of cellular supports defined between anupper skin and a lower skin. The plurality of cellular supports extendover a top surface and side surfaces of a vehicle seat. A breathablecoverstock extends over the upper skin. A recess is defined between thebreathable coverstock and the upper skin. An open air distribution layerextends over the plurality of cellular supports. A breathable coverstockextends over the distribution layer.

According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a method ofmaking a vehicle seating assembly. A recess is formed in an uppersubstrate layer. A plurality of partitioned cells are formed in a lowersubstrate layer. The upper substrate layer is coupled with the lowersubstrate layer to define a support cell assembly. An open airdistribution layer is positioned over the support cell assembly. Theopen air distribution layer is covered with a coverstock.

These and other aspects, objects, and features of the present disclosurewill be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art uponstudying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of one embodiment of a vehicle seatingassembly of the present disclosure disposed in a vehicle;

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the vehicle seating assembly of FIG.1;

FIG. 3A is a partial side elevational cross-sectional view of oneembodiment of an air suspended comfort layer of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3B is a partial side elevational cross-sectional view of analternative embodiment of an air suspended comfort layer of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 3C is a partial side elevational cross-sectional view of analternative embodiment of an air suspended comfort layer of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the general direction of air flow acrossthe air cells after assembly of one embodiment of an air suspendedcomfort layer of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a lower skin of the present disclosureafter cellular supports have been formed, but before the suspendedcomfort layer has been shaped to a vehicle seat;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of a portion of a vehicle seat, including oneembodiment of a suspended seat comfort layer of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational cross-sectional view of the vehicle seat ofFIG. 7 prior to shaping into a vehicle seat;

FIG. 8 is a side elevational cross-sectional view of the vehicle seat ofFIG. 6 taken at line A-A;

FIG. 8A is a side elevational cross-sectional view of an alternateconstruction for a vehicle seating assembly of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of an upper skin after preforming toprovide a nest for a distribution layer;

FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of a lower skin after vacuumpreforming to define partitioned air cells;

FIG. 11 is a top perspective view of the upper skin after welding to thelower skin;

FIG. 12 is a top perspective view of the air suspended seat comfortlayer after completion of a punch trim operation;

FIG. 13 is a top perspective view of the air suspended seat comfortlayer with the sides folded down and welded to form a three-dimensionalair suspended seat comfort layer;

FIG. 14 is a top perspective view of the air suspended seat comfortlayer with an open weave air distribution layer positioned therein;

FIG. 15 is a top perspective view of the air suspended seat comfortlayer with a trim cover positioned thereover; and

FIG. 16 is a top perspective view of the complete air suspended comfortlayer on a vehicle seating assembly positioned in the vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,”“left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivativesthereof shall relate to the disclosure as oriented in FIG. 1. However,it is to be understood that the disclosure may assume variousalternative orientations, except where expressly specified to thecontrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices andprocesses illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in thefollowing specification are simply exemplary embodiments of theinventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specificdimensions and other physical characteristics relating to theembodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting,unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

In this document, relational terms, such as first and second, top andbottom, and the like, are used solely to distinguish one entity oraction from another entity or action, without necessarily requiring orimplying any actual such relationship or order between such entities oractions. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variationthereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that aprocess, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elementsdoes not include only those elements but may include other elements notexpressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, orapparatus. An element proceeded by “comprises . . . a” does not, withoutmore constraints, preclude the existence of additional identicalelements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprisesthe element.

Referring to the embodiment generally illustrated in FIGS. 1-16,reference numeral 10 generally designates a vehicle seating assemblyhaving a vehicle seat 12 with a passive air suspended seat comfort layer11. A plurality of cellular supports 14 include multiple base cells 16and multiple partition cells or support cells 18. The multiple supportcells 18 are disposed directly above and include a different airpressure than the base cells 16. A diaphragm 20 is proximate the basecells 16 and the support cells 18. An air passage 22 is defined throughthe diaphragm 20 between adjacent cellular supports 14. An open airdistribution layer 24 extends over the cellular supports 14. Abreathable coverstock 26 extends over the distribution layer 24.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the present disclosure is generallydirected to a vehicle seating assembly 10 for use in a vehicle 40, suchas a car, a truck, a van, etc. It is also contemplated that the conceptset forth in this disclosure may be utilized in a front or forward seatof the vehicle 40 as well as back or rearward seats of the vehicle 40.The vehicle seating assembly 10, as illustrated, includes a seat base 42that is positioned on rail slides 44 to allow fore and aft movement ofthe vehicle seating assembly 10 relative to the vehicle 40. The vehicleseat 12 is positioned on the seat base 42 and is movable relativethereto, as set forth in further detail below. In addition, the vehicleseating assembly 10 includes a seatback 46 having a lower lumbar region48 and an upper thoracic region 50 as well as a head restraint 52. Eachof the components of the seatback 46 may be configured for adjustabilityto properly support the weight of various occupants inside the vehicle40.

With reference now to FIGS. 3A-3C, various passive air suspended seatcomfort layers 11 are illustrated. FIG. 3A illustrates an air suspendedseat comfort layer 11 that includes a multi-cell configuration.Specifically, multiple base cells 16 and multiple support cells 18 areillustrated and are separated by the diaphragm 20. In the illustratedembodiment, the base cells 16, the support cells 18, and the diaphragm20 are all welded together via a heat welding method. The system is thengenerally positioned on a vehicle seating assembly such that warm aircan be drawn from the seat in the direction of arrow 60, or warm airblown out of the seat in the direction of arrow 62. The air movesthrough the air passages 22, which are not in communication with aninner area defined by the base cells 16 or the support cells 18. Thediaphragm 20, the upper skin 64, and the lower skin 66 are all operablycoupled via welding, adhesive, etc. at junction areas 72. Notably, thesupport cells 18 and the base cells 16 include closed configurationssuch that the pressure in these areas is maintained relatively constant.In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 3, the support cells 18 aregenerally defined by the diaphragm 20 and an upper skin 64. The upperskin 64 is generally impermeable such that a steady pressure P1 can bemaintained between the upper skin 64 and the diaphragm 20 for anextended period of time. The base cells 16 are generally defined in thespace between the diaphragm 20 and a lower skin 66. Similar to thesupport cells 18, the base cells 16 can be set at a predeterminedpressure P2, and that pressure can be maintained for a prolonged periodof time because both the diaphragm 20 and the lower skin 66 include ahighly impermeable material. The pressure P1 may be less than, equal to,or greater than the pressure P2. If the pressures are equal, it is alsocontemplated that the support cells 18 may be in communication with thebase cells 16.

With reference again to FIG. 3A, as previously noted, air can be drawninto the seat along arrow 60, or blown out of the seat along arrow 62into the distribution layer 24 where the air is distributed through atop area of the seat, and ultimately blown through apertures 70 definedin the coverstock 26. Air is then blown out towards the occupant to warmthe occupant. It is generally contemplated that the coverstock 26 may becomprised of a variety of materials, including perforated leather,permeable fabric, etc.

With reference now to FIG. 3B, the illustrated embodiment depicts analternative construction, wherein the diaphragm 20 is disposed aboveboth the upper skin 64 and the lower skin 66. In this instance, thepressurization in the support cells 18 can once again be maintained at apredetermined pressure. In the illustrated embodiment, the diaphragm 20extends over the upper skin 64 and the lower skin 66, and the spacebetween the diaphragm 20 and the upper skin 64 defines the support cells18. The space between the upper skin 64 and the lower skin 66 definesthe base cells 16. As in FIG. 3A, the diaphragm 20, the upper skin 64,and the lower skin 66 are all operably coupled via welding, adhesive,etc. at junction areas 72. For both FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B, it will begenerally understood that the pressure P1 in the support cells 18 may beequal to, greater than, or less than a pressure P2 in the base cells 16.In at least one embodiment, the support cells 18 operate atapproximately 2 psi.

FIG. 3C generally illustrates yet another embodiment of a passive airsuspended seat comfort layer 11. In this embodiment, a plurality ofdistribution cells are defined between the lower skin 66 and thediaphragm 20. An additional skin in the form of an upper skin is notpresent. As previously discussed, air can then be drawn from the vehicleseat surface to cool an occupant, or blown toward the vehicle seatsurface toward the occupant to warm the occupant, depending on thepreference of the occupant.

FIG. 4 generally illustrates that the entirety of the seat area iscovered with the passive air suspended seat comfort layer 11. Thepassive air suspended seat comfort layer 11 is generally configured toextend around the seat such that the entire seat is wrapped by thepassive air suspended seat comfort layer 11. This configuration can bemade as a result of the molding or welding of method used to make thepassive air suspended seat comfort layer 11 into a three-dimensionalstructure. Because the passive air suspended seat comfort layer 11 iswrapped around the vehicle seating assembly 10, the cooling and heatingapertures noted above can be positioned on extremities of the vehicleseat 12, including the side bolsters and possibly the sides of theseats.

With reference now to FIG. 5, one example of the lower skin 66 aftermolding, but prior to forming into the passive air suspended seatcomfort layer 11 is illustrated. The various cellular supports 14 arealready formed in the lower skin 66. In this instance, it is illustratedat an area 80 that forward and side portions of the passive airsuspended seat comfort layer 11 are folded down and connected at awelding area 82. The welding area 82 is operably coupled with an edge 84to form a three-dimensional passive air suspended seat comfort layer 11.The distribution layer 24 is then positioned relatively squarely on thetop surface of the vehicle seat 12 proximate the posterior of a seatedoccupant.

With reference now to FIGS. 6-8, various illustrations depict portionsof the vehicle seating assembly 10 and passive air suspended seatcomfort layer 11 after being shaped onto the vehicle seating assembly10. FIG. 7 is a cross-section through a top portion of the vehicleseating assembly 10, as illustrated in FIG. 6. The sections 1, 2, 3, and4 as illustrated in FIG. 5 depict the lower skin 66, which defines cellsbetween the lower skin 66 and the diaphragm 20 as shown in FIG. 7.Stated differently, once the lower skin 66 is applied to the upper skin64 or the diaphragm 20, the base cells 16 are defined. The base cells 16in FIG. 7, which correspond to the numbers 1, 2, 3, and 4, correspond tothe numbers 1, 2, 3, and 4 in FIG. 5 (which illustrates the flat stockof the material prior to being shaped to form the vehicle seatingassembly 10). After the lower skin 66 has been applied to the diaphragm20, the passive air suspended seat comfort layer 11 is then rounded toform the top and front portions of the vehicle seating assembly 10 (seeFIGS. 4, 6, and 8).

An alternative construction, as shown in FIG. 8A, illustrates thepassive air suspended seat comfort layer 11 with an extended portion 90of the diaphragm 20 wrapping around at least one and possibly two of thebase cells 16 defined between the lower skin 66 and the diaphragm 20.This design provides a slightly more robust front portion of the vehicleseating assembly 10. The coverstock 26 also wraps around the base cells16, albeit not as far as the extended portion 90.

With reference now to FIGS. 9-16, the desired method of constructing thepassive air suspended seat comfort layer 11 is illustrated.Specifically, in step 100, the upper skin 66 is vacuum pre-formed toprovide a nest, or recess 101, for the distribution layer 24. The upperskin 66 has a nesting area that is generally consistent in size with thearea that is defined by the lower skin 66 and which defines partitionedair cells, which will make up the support cells 18 and/or the base cells16. In step 102, the lower skin 66 is vacuum pre-formed to provide thepartitioned air cells. In step 104, as shown in FIG. 11, a progressiveplaten welding system is utilized to attach the upper skin 64 to thelower skin 66 in a step variable pressure cell. Snaps that may beutilized to attach the comfort layer to the supportive layer are weldedin place during this step.

With reference now to FIG. 12, in step 106, a punch trim operation isused to punch out the flat welded assembly. Notably at this point, thesupport cells 18 have been defined and in step 108, as illustrated inFIG. 13, the sides are folded down and the corners are welded tocomplete the cover. In step 110, the open weave air distribution layer24 is inserted into the nest defined in the distribution layer 24. Instep 112, a comfort layer is wrapped by a pre-made trim cover that isperforated, which defines the breathable coverstock 26. After beingwrapped with the trim cover, the entire assembly is positioned in avehicle and fastened in place.

It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art thatconstruction of the described disclosure and other components is notlimited to any specific material. Other exemplary embodiments of thedisclosure disclosed herein may be formed from a wide variety ofmaterials, unless described otherwise herein.

For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” (in all of itsforms, couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means the joining oftwo components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to oneanother. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature.Such joining may be achieved with the two components (electrical ormechanical) and any additional intermediate members being integrallyformed as a single unitary body with one another or with the twocomponents. Such joining may be permanent in nature or may be removableor releasable in nature unless otherwise stated.

It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement ofthe elements of the disclosure as shown in the exemplary embodiments isillustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the presentinnovations have been described in detail in this disclosure, thoseskilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciatethat many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes,dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements,values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors,orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novelteachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example,elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple partsor elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, theoperation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, thelength or width of the structures and/or members or connector or otherelements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustmentpositions provided between the elements may be varied. It should benoted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system may beconstructed from any of a wide variety of materials that providesufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors,textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications areintended to be included within the scope of the present innovations.Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be madein the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the desired andother exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of thepresent innovations.

It will be understood that any described processes or steps withindescribed processes may be combined with other disclosed processes orsteps to form structures within the scope of the present disclosure. Theexemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrativepurposes and are not to be construed as limiting.

It is also to be understood that variations and modifications can bemade on the aforementioned structures and methods without departing fromthe concepts of the present disclosure, and further it is to beunderstood that such concepts are intended to be covered by thefollowing claims unless these claims by their language expressly stateotherwise.

What is claimed is:
 1. A seating assembly comprising: a seating frame; aplurality of cellular supports including: multiple base cells definedbetween a lower skin and an upper skin; multiple support cells definedbetween the upper skin and a diaphragm, the multiple support cellsdisposed above and including a lower air pressure than an air pressureof the base cells, wherein the lower skin substantially wraps thesupport cells; and an open air distribution layer above and adjacent tothe diaphragm; and a breathable coverstock extending over thedistribution layer.
 2. The seating assembly of claim 1, wherein thesupport cells are pressurized to approximately 2 psi.
 3. The seatingassembly of claim 1, wherein the diaphragm is disposed between thesupport cells and the open air distribution layer.
 4. The seatingassembly of claim 1, wherein air is drawn into a seat during a coolingoperation and is blown from the seat during a heating operation.
 5. Theseating assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of cellular supportsextends over a top surface and side surfaces of a vehicle seat; and thebreathable coverstock extends over the upper skin.
 6. The seatingassembly of claim 5, wherein the plurality of cellular supports arepressurized to approximately 2 psi.
 7. The seating assembly of claim 5,wherein the lower skin wraps around at the upper skin.
 8. The seatingassembly of claim 7, wherein the lower skin wraps the upper skin andaround at least one of the plurality of cellular supports definedbetween the upper skin and the lower skin.
 9. The seating assembly ofclaim 5, further comprising: a recess defined between the breathablecoverstock and the upper skin, wherein the open air distribution layerextends over the plurality of cellular supports.
 10. The seatingassembly of claim 9, wherein the open air distribution layer is disposedin the recess.